April 9, 2006

Box Score

NEWARK, NJ - The New Jersey Institute of Technology baseball team split a doubleheader with Felician Sunday afternoon at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium, taking the first game, 3-2, on a walkoff RBI single by Justin Racz, before falling to Felician in the nightcap, 10-9.

The split of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader leaves the Highlanders at 11-11 overall and 4-7 in the CACC. Felician is 18-15 overall and 6-4 in the CACC.

NJIT came back from a 2-0 deficit to win the opener, plating single runs in fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Racz hit the game-winning single to right center field, scoring Dan Morogiello, who had singled with one out and moved into scoring position on a ground out.

Racz, Morogiello and Craig Binkiewicz all got two hits apiece for NJIT and Binkiewicz, who tripled on one of his hits, Racz and Austin DeRogatis all picked up runs batted in.

Chris Legiadre went the distance on a three-hitter for the Highlanders, allowing one earned run and striking out four. Anthony Ciramello was the losing pitcher for Felician, pitching 6.2 innings and allowing 8 hits and 3 walks, while striking out five.

In the second game, the Highlanders, who scored a run in the top of the first, fell into a deep hole in the bottom of the frame, as Felician scored nine times on eight hits.

NJIT battled back with three runs in the second inning, two in the fifth and then three in the sixth. Highlander relievers Cory Kuzmik and Pete Rivera combined to hold Felician to three hits and one run over the last five innings, but NJIT fell short on the final score, 10-9.

Rob Forbes and Jeff Potter each got a pair of hits for the Highlanders, including a three-run homer by Potter in the second inning. The senior catcher drove in four runs.

Felician got two hits each from Kenny Vanderhee, Mike Rooth and Vin DiBenedetti. Mike Buckelew, the second Falcon batter, homered to help key the first-inning outburst.

Anthony Spina, the third of three pitchers for Felician, was credited with the win as the team's most effective reliever, after starter Kevin Graham failed to got the required four innings. Spina tossed two innings, allowing a run on three hits. Highlander starter PJ Saporito took the loss.

NJIT's next scheduled action is a 3 pm CACC doubleheader on Wednesday against Bloomfield in Lyndhurst, NJ.